Conference

It is with heavy hearts that we need to cancel the WEMTA Conference, which was scheduled to take place March 22-24, 2020. The health and well-being of our attendees are at the forefront of our priorities and with the recent developments, travel bans, and Governor's decree, this preventative action had to be taken. As a non-profit volunteer-led professional organization, we cannot postpone the physical conference to a later date. Emails have already gone out to all attendees that address our refund procedures, so if for any reason you have not submitted a refund request, please do so here.

We will miss seeing you at the 2020 WEMTA Conference and hope you join us next year, February 7-9, 2021, at the Central WI Convention & Expo Center in Rothschild!

WEMTA Conference March 22nd-24th 2020

Keynote - Kristin Ziemke

(@KristinZiemke) Kristin Ziemke is an urban school educator and the author of Amplify: Digital Teaching and Learning in the K-6 Classroom. Recognized as an international expert in literacy, inquiry and technology, Kristin works with schools around the world to develop learning experiences that are student-centered, personalized and authentic. Currently serving as a resident teacher and innovation specialist for the Big Shoulders Fund, Kristin is an Apple Distinguished Educator, National Board Certified Teacher and Chicago Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leader. Her third book, Read the World: Rethinking Literacy for Empathy and Action in a Digital Age, will be available fall 2019 and her work has been featured by Apple, EdWeek, Mindshift and Scholastic. https://www.kristinziemke.com/

Author Keynote - Shannon Hale & LeUyen Pham

New York Times best-selling author Shannon Hale started writing books at age ten and never stopped. After nineteen years of writing and dozens of rejections, she published The Goose Girl, the first book in her award-winning Books of Bayern series. Real Friends, her graphic novel memoir, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, was included in a number of best-of-the-year lists. Shannon's books have been translated into more than 20 languages and studied in classrooms from elementary schools to universities. She is a renowned public speaker and advocate for gender equality. She and husband Dean live with their four children near Salt Lake City, Utah.

LeUyen Pham is the award-winning and critically acclaimed illustrator or author of more than 60 children’s books. Born in Vietnam, LeUyen and her family fled the country in the final days of the Vietnam War. LeUyen always loved to doodle and draw, but her mother insisted she become a lawyer. While studying law at UCLA, the head of the art department spotted her artistic talent and helped her change course. LeUyen got an interview at the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, won a scholarship, and earned a degree in illustration. LeUyen lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and two sons.

(@DrKMattson) Dr. Kristen Mattson is a high school library media specialist and former English teacher with a passion for digital citizenship, media and information literacy education. When she is not supporting the staff and students at her school, Kristen works as an adjunct professor in the University of Illinois iSchool and consults and speaks as a Future Ready Librarian. Kristen’s research interests lie at the intersection of technology and humanity, and how educators approach said topics with students through curriculum. She is the author of Digital Citizenship in Action: Empowering Students to Engage in Online Communities (ISTE, 2017) and has contributed various articles and book chapters to project surrounding digital citizenship, school libraries, and media and information literacy.

Spotlight Speaker - Jon Spike

(@Mr_JSpike) Jon Spike started his career as a high school English teacher and K-12 Technology Coach. He currently works as a Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Integration Services at UW-Whitewater, collaborating with preservice teachers and College of Education instructors to leverage technology in innovative ways. Jon has presented across the U.S. to educators and administrators as both a consultant and Google Certified Innovator, sharing his expertise at the ISTE, USMSpark, FETC, SLATE and ICE conferences, as well as the Midwest Google Summit. He also hosts the LaughED podcast, where educators around the world share humorous tales from their classroom.